YouTube self-censored lese majeste protest clip

Self-censorship on YouTube is working well – silently. Yesterday, a FACT signer reported one of the silently banned clips, which can be viewed everywhere in the world, except in Thailand.

Following an agreement with Thailand’s Ministry of ICT last year, YouTube’s management agreed to block any video clips deemed offensive to Thai people or those that violate Thai law. In other words, YouTube will do the censorship by themselves, so that the site will not be blocked again by the Ministry.

When users from Thailand try to access the reported link, http://youtube.com/watch?v=70m1ncXQjXA , they will see this message:

This video is not available in your country.

It is a lèse majesté law protest clip, which contains a few caricatures of the King’s image and Thailand’s flag, the Royal anthem is played as background music and, between those images, the clip runs these messages in black text over yellow background:

King Bhumibol Adulyadej is a dictator.

He sends anyone who speaks against him to prison – for up to 15 years.

F**k the king of Thailand – long live free speech!

Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code stipulates the penalty for lèse majesté offence as 3-15 years’ imprisonment.